MLB Player News

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Stephenson has four multi-hit efforts over his last five games, and each of those two-hit games has included one knock for extra bases. His homer Friday was his second of the month and fifth of the season. The catcher is up to a .264/.342/.472 slash line with 14 RBI, 18 runs scored, one stolen base and seven doubles through 120 plate appearances on the year.

Murphy (oblique) will likely begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy has been on the injured list since Opening Day, but he has now been cleared to test his strained left oblique in a competitive environment. Considering the 29-year-old backstop has missed nearly two months, he will likely require an extended stay in the minors, but he should reclaim his role as Atlanta's everyday catcher once he returns.

D'Arnaud was diagnosed with a head contusion after leaving Friday's game against the Padres in the sixth inning, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

D'Arnaud reported dizziness after taking a foul ball off his facemask during the fifth inning. Manager Brian Snitker said that d'Arnaud passed all the initial tests for a potential concussion, but the team will evaluate him again Saturday before making a decision on his status.

D'Arnaud was removed from Friday's game against San Diego due to dizziness.

D'Arnaud took a foul ball off his facemask in the fifth inning and did not take the field for the sixth. He'll be evaluated for a possible concussion, but even if he's cleared it wouldn't be a surprise if Chadwick Tromp got the start Saturday.

Campusano is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta.

Campusano had been behind the plate for the Padres in each of the previous four contests, but he'll begin this one on the bench. Kyle Higashioka will do the catching for knuckleballer Matt Waldron.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Dodgers.

Stephenson produced runs in his first two plate appearances, singling in the first inning then doubling home the eventual game-winning run in the third. Both runs were scored by Elly De La Cruz, who had stolen bases prior to each of Stephenson's at-bats. The backstop has multiple hits in three straight games, going 7-for-13 with three doubles, two RBI and three runs scored. A lack of production from the middle of the order early in the season prompted Reds manager David Bell to move Stephenson up, and he has slotted in anywhere from third to sixth over his last 13 starts.

Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game versus Cincinnati.

After going 5-for-12 with three RBI and two runs scored during the Dodgers' last series with the Giants, Smith will get a day off during Thursday's series opener. Austin Barnes will take his place behind the dish and bat ninth.

Nido isn't in the Mets' lineup Thursday versus Philadelphia.

Nido will catch a breather after going 2-for-4 with an RBI during Wednesday's loss. Omar Narvaez will fill in at catcher while batting ninth.

Murphy (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment next week, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The catcher has been out since Opening Day after suffering an oblique strain, and Atlanta has taken things slowly with him so far. Murphy now appears to be in the final stages of his recovery, but given the amount of time he's missed, his rehab assignment could last more than just a few days. Travis d'Arnaud will continue handling catching duties until Murphy returns, backed up by Chadwick Tromp.

The Giants optioned Reetz to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old was called up Monday after being demoted over the weekend, and he'll head back to Triple-A as veteran Curt Casali inked a major-league contract with the Giants. Reetz will continue to serve as organizational catching depth with Sacramento.